So you think you have what it takes to launch your own business? You have the idea, the business plan and the funding to get it up and running, but that's only half the story. Do you also have what it takes to run a successful business?

The range of skills is huge, and nobody expects you to have them all, but you will need to know where your strengths and weaknesses lie so that you can utilise the help of others, whether through outsourcing or staff, to ensure the smooth running of your business.

It's going to be hard work, which means a huge commitment from you that will entail long hours away from home, stress and a willingness to keep going however tough it gets. You need to have your family on board to support you as they will be a part of it, even if just giving you support and understanding at home. The long hours will be tiring and there may even be no holidays for a while, but you've got to keep your eyes on the prize. It won't always be like that and, hopefully, ultimate business success will make it all worthwhile.

Do you own a shop or are considering opening one? Walking through my local town centre a few days ago I noticed another two shops had closed down, including a very well known name. For me this is sad for several reasons. Not only is it a reflection of the tough times retail outlets are facing, but it also represents the shift in spending patterns and types of shops we're increasingly seeing on our high streets.

More and more we're finding either short-term shops, which come along sell low value goods and disappear as quickly as they came, or more permanent shops selling all manner of products at very cheap prices. While those living on a tight budget find these shops invaluable we have to ask ourselves whether they are actually doing more to damage the image of the high street than helping to save it. Are consumers increasingly seeing the high street as as predominantly full of 'cheap' shops which can be found in any town. Are we losing our identities and what makes each town special and unique and therefore our attachment?

Of course the shift started decades ago with the advent of out of town shopping centres. Every shop you could possibly need all under one roof! Planners thought they'd come up with a great idea, but the affect these centres had on towns was huge. However, these large centre have no personality or individuality - much like many town centres ended up.